Self-aligning bearing assembly

ABSTRACT

A self-aligning bearing assembly having a single piece, stamped housing of general cup-shaped configuration, an opening in the bottom of the housing for seating a spherical bearing ball and spring fingers extending from the bottom of the housing for engaging the diametrically opposite side of the ball and retaining it in the housing.

United States Patent [191 Keller SELF-ALIGNING BEARING ASSEMBLY [75]Inventor: Joseph R. Keller, Fairfield, Conn. [73] Assignee: MPBCorporation, Keene, NH.

[ Aug. 28, 1973 Belgium 3022/72 Primary Examiner-Charles J. Myhre -il4mi"rE ls Attorney-Pennie, Edmonds. Harry C. Jones et a1.

[5 7] ABSTRACT A self-aligning bearing assembly having a single piece,stamped housing of general cup-shaped configuration, an opening in thebottom of the housing for seating a spherical bearing ball and springfingers extending from the bottom of the housing for engaging thediametrically opposite side of the ball and retaining it in the housing.

25 Claims, 14 Drawing Figures Patented Aug. 28, 1973 3,754,802

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Patented Aug. 28, 1973 3,754,802

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 SELF-ALIGNING BEARING ASSEMBLY BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION Self-aligning bearing assemblies are generally desirable instructures for supporting a rotating member on a fixed support wherecosts of manufacture are to be kept low. By using self-aligning bearingassemblies, one can avoid the need for precision bearings and precisionalignment of the rotating and fixed parts of the structure with whichthe assemblies are to be used. The selfaligning feature is also valuablewhere the structure with which the bearings are used tends to shift orwarp out of alignment during use.

Self-aligning bearing assemblies have, in the past, been constructed indifferent ways. In one construction, the assembly includes a housing, aspherical ball disposed within the housing, and a race member fixedinside the housing for rotatably supporting the ball. Three-pieceassemblies of this type of construction are generally expensive tomanufacture.

Self-aligning bearing assemblies have also been constructed by forming acombination housing and race from ductile metals or plastic. Thesetwo-piece constructions generally require operations which form thematerial into a shape conforming to the outer surface of the sphericalball. Quite frequently, the housing is formed directly about thespherical ball. In other constructions, the housing is first formed to ashape which will loosely receive the bearing ball. The ball is theninserted and the housing formed to its final shape by deforming it overthe ball to retain the latter in place. Although assemblies having theirhousing constructed in this manner are generally cheaper to manufacturethan three-part assemblies, the manufacturing operation is frequentlycomplicated by the need for using the ball as a die in the formingoperation of the housing. It is often times desirable to use a sphericalball made of generally soft metal such as sintered bronze. Where suchballs are used, special precautions must be taken to prevent marring orother damage to the ball.

Both types of bearing assemblies described above are self-containedunits adapted to be assembled as such onto a rotating shaft or similarmember for supporting the shaft in a housing structure. Besides theseselfcontained units, self-aligning bearings have. been constructed withhalf of the spherical support for the ball formed integrally in thestructure in which the bearing is to be used. An example of this isfound in inexpensive motors where it is necessary to mount the motorshaft for rotation in the bell housing of the motor. The housingincludes bores through which the opposite ends of the motor shaftextend. In order to avoid having to precisely align these bores,self-aligning bearings are used to support the ends of the shaft.

In construction, part of the race-like support for these bearings isformed in the bell housing of the motor. More particularly, the bellhousing is constructed with a spherical pocket surrounding each bore forreceiving each of the spherical balls of the bearings. In order to holdeach of the balls in place, a separate cover member is employed.This'cover member includes an aperture through which the shaft of themotor extends and has a plurality of spring-like fingers for engagingthe ball and holding it in the pocket of the motor housing. The covermember is fastened to the housing usually by rivets or screws. In aconstruction of the type, it is sometimes desirable to providesupplemental lubricant for the bearing ball. Where this is desired, aseparate oil impregnated felt material is positioned between the balland cover member.

With self-aligning bearing assemblies as last described, a separateoperation is required for connecting the assembly into the equipmentwith which it is to be used. Also, in connecting the assembly, care mustbe taken to make sure that the felt washer, when used, is properlypositioned. These separate assembly steps tend to add to themanufacturing cost of the equipment. Furthermore, binding of the bearingassembly can arise if the cover member is clamped too tightly or notproperly aligned relative to the ball and spherical pocket in thehousing structure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The bearing assembly constructed in accordancewith the teachings of the present invention includes a single piecehousing structure stamped from sheet metal or molded from plastic andholding a spherical ball therein by spring finger members formed as partof the housing. The housing structure is formed independently of theball; and the ball is adapted to be positioned within the housing bysimply snapping it into place. The bearing assembly is a self-containedunit and can be readily attached to the support structure of theequipment with which it is to be used. Press fitting the housing into abore provided for this purpose is all that is necessary. No. separateattaching cover or members are required. The assembly of the presentinvention is also readily adapted for receiving a wicking compound whichmay be injected into the space between the inner spherical ball and thehousing structure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a cross-sectional view ofthe housing of the bearing assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the housing shown in FIG.

. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the bearing assembly of thepresent invention; I

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the bearing assembly shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the modified embodiment of the bearing assemblyof the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the bearing assembly shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a modified housing constructionof the bearing assembly;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a modified embodiment of the bearingassembly shown in FIG. 3;v

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing another modified embodimentshown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 10 is a plan view showing the blank from which the bearing assemblyof FIGS. 1-4 is constructed;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a modified housing construction ofthe bearing assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a plan view of the housing shown in FIG.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the bearing assembly of the presentinvention showing a modified construction of the bearing ball; and

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of a modified construction of thebearing ball.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FIGS. 1-4 show theconstruction of the presently preferred embodiment of the invention. Thebearing assembly generally includes a housing 1 and a spherical bearingball 2 positioned therein. The housing of the bearing assembly isconstructed from a blank 3 of spring steel and includes a mountingsection 4 of cupshaped configuration for retaining the spherical ball ofthe assembly. The bearing ball has a bore 5, the center axis 66 of whichdefines the axis of the. ball.

The mounting section of the housing is comprised of three supportfingers 7. These fingers extend from the botto end of the mountingsection toward the open end in a diverging pattern and are spaced fromeach other at their free ends. The diverging construction of the supportfingers coupled with their spring characteristics is advantageously usedin mounting the assembly into the support structure of the equipmentwith which it is to be used. It is simply necessary to provide the support structure with a bore and the bearing assembly can be fixed thereinby pushing it into the bore. The assembly will be held by a press fitand the diverging support fingers will readily compensate for aninaccurately sized bore in the support structure. FIG. 3 shows a support8 having a bore 9 for mounting the assembly. The diverging nature of thesupport fingers is shown in dotted lines.

To positively locate the assembly axially within the bore of the support8, the support fingers 7 may be provided with radially outwardlyextending flanges 10. A housing of this construction is shown in FIGS.and 6. The flanges will seat against the side surface of the support 8surrounding the bore 9. This will prevent further axial movement of theassembly into the bore. Screws or similar means, not shown, may beprovided for fixing the assembly in the bore of the support 8. Suchmeans would connect the flanges 10 to the support surface. With thisconstruction, axial movement of the assembly in either direction wouldbe prevented if this should be required.

The mounting section of the housing includes a circular opening 11 atits bottom end. The structure of the mounting section surrounding theopening 11 provides a bottom bearing surface for the spherical ball.More particularly, the mounting section is formed into a reverse bend soas to extend radially inwardly of the opening, first in a directiontoward the open end of the mounting section and then in a reversedirection. With this bending, the inner surface 12 of the mountingsection defines the actual bearing surface against which the sphericalball will seat when assembled in position. This seating will occur alonga small circle on the outer spherical surface of the ball.

As shown in FIG. 7, the reverse bend of FIG. 3 can be replaced by asingle bend with the inner surface 12 providing the smooth bearingsurface for the ball. With the reverse bend construction of FIG. 3, theaxial length L-l of the mounting section will be greater than the lengthL-2 in the single bend construction of FIG. 7. This is advantageous inthat it provides more axial support for the mounting section of thebearing assembly within the bore 9 of the support 8.

In addition to the support fingers 7, the housing includes bearingfingers 13. These fingers are integral with the mounting section of thehousing at the bottom end thereof. They extend toward the open end ofthe mounting section with their free ends 14 spaced from each other. Thefree ends engage the outer surface of the ball along a small circle onthe diametrically opposite side of the ball from the point where theball engages the bearing surface 12.

As seen from FIG. 2, the housing is constructed with three bearingfingers 13 disposed in an alternating pattern with the support fingers7. The support fingers 7 together with the bearing fingers 13 define theside portions of the cup-shaped configuration of the housing. As shownin FIG. 3 these fingers are spaced from the ball intermediate their endsso that the only contact with the ball is along the surface 12 of themounting section and at the free ends 14 of the bearing fingers. Thisconstruction provides a space between the housing and the ball in whicha suitable wicking means may be placed. In the preferred construction,an injectable wicking compound comprised of a polymer matrix saturatedwith oil is injected into this space. A suitable wicking compound forthis purpose is POLY-OIL manufactured by General Polymeric Corporationof West Reading, Pennsylvania. This lubricating compound contains 92-98percent oil by weight. The oil is held in a polymer matrix. The compoundhas the consistency of grease and is susceptible to being injected intounconfined spaces. The bearing assembly of FIG. 3 is shown in FIG. 8with the wicking compound designated To provide a smooth bearing surfacebetween the ball and the bearing fingers, the latter are shaped as shownin FIG. 3. In particular, the free ends extend radially inwardly of theperiphery of the housing and are then bent so as to extend radiallyoutwardly of the housing. With this construction the innermost smoothsurface 16 of the fingers provides the actual point of engagement withthe ball while the outwardly diverging tips of the fingers provide asmooth opening and thus facilitate the insertion of the ball into thehousing.

In order that the ball be properly retained within the housing, thebearing fingers are formed with an initial shape so that their free endsat the surfaces 16 define a circle which is smaller than the circle onthe ball along which they will engage. The spring nature of thesefingers readily permits the initial insertion of the ball into thehousing with the fingers snapping back into bearing engagement with itsouter surface. The spring-like grasp of the outer spherical segment ofthe ball also compensates for imperfections on these segments. Thisfeature permits the use of relatively inexpensive unfinished balls, theuse of which is impractical in other designs which do not have thiscompensating ability.

The bearing assembly of the present invention is to be used as aself-aligning bearing in supporting such things as the shafts ofinexpensive motors. For this purpose, it is necessary that the bearingball be permitted to adjust itself within the housing. For example, whentwo bearing assemblies are used to support the opposite ends of a motorshaft, the bores through the two balls 2 must be able to axially alignthemselves even though they are not supported in axially aligned boresof the support structure 8. When used in this type of equipment, thehousing and ball of the bearing assemblies normally remain stationary inthe support housing of the motor and the shaft rotates within the boresof the balls 2.

Under some conditions the ball may temporarily freeze to the motor shaftand tend to rotate within the housing. This is undesirable and in orderto prevent this condition from arising, the bearing assembly of thepresent invention includes means for securing the ball against rotationwithin its housing. As shown, the ball includes a set of three key slotsor grooves 17 in its outer surface adjacent each axial end of the bore5. Either set of grooves is adapted to cooperate with the bearingfingers 13. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the free ends of these bearingfingers are aligned with and receive the grooves 17. The grooves areelongated in the direction of the fingers and are slightly wider thanthe fingers. This provides a slight space within which the fingers canmove in the grooves so that the ball can align itself properly withinthe housing of the assembly. Any appreciable degree of rotation will,however, be prevented and thus any temporary freezing of the ball on themotor shaft will not start the ball rotating within its housing.

As shown in FIG. 3, a set of grooves is provided adjacent each axial endof the bore of the ball. This construction permits quick assembly of theball within the housing without regard to which end of the ball isinserted first. Although three grooves are shown, one for cooperatingwith each of the bearing fingers, one groove would be sufficient. Also,instead of using the bearing fingers to preclude rotation of the ball,the mounting section of the housing can, as shown in FIG. 9, be formedwith a tang 18. This tang extends radially inwardly of the opening 11and into a key slot 19.

In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, the housingof the bearing assembly is advantageously stamped from sheet metal. Theshape of the blank from which the housing of FIGS. 1-4 is formed inshown in FIG. 10. This blank is first formed, by suitable dies, into acup shape. Subsequent operations will then perform the cutting of theopening 11 and the bending of the mounting section and bearing fingersto provide the appropriate bearing surfaces 12 and 16. The bearingfingers may, if desired, be formed to the bly can also be used insupporting a structure for rotation on a fixed shaft. Here, suchstructure is provided withv bores in both ends in which two bearingassembliesare secured. The stationary support shaft for this structureextends through the bores of the two bearing assemblies to provide thenecessary support. In this construction, the bearing assemblies wouldrotate on the shaft with the structure in which it is secured.'Anexample of this construction is the mounting of the rotating brushroller used in vacuum cleaners on a fixed support shaft.

In forming the housing of the bearing assembly, spring steel is used andheat treated to produce a spring temper. Although the preferredembodiments of the present invention employ a spring steel, the housingcould be formed from molded plastic or other metals such as berylliumcopper. Also, the bearing ball of the assembly could be made of othermaterials than sintered bronze. For example, sintered iron can be usedat lower costs. Also, plastic, steels or other materials can be useddepending on the particular application for which the assemblies aremade.

In the bearing assembly described above, the outer periphery of thehousing is defined by the three support fingers and the three bearingfingers. As an alternative construction, the housing can be formed witha continuous outer surface. Such a construction is shown in FIGS. 1 land 12. Here, the support section of the housconfiguration shown duringthe initial cup-shaped forming operation. Alternatively, a series ofindividual dies can be used to perform the cutting and formingoperations with the operation being performed consecutively. Theconstruction of the housing is such that it lends itself to inexpensivefabrication using low cost stamping techniques.

After the housing is formed automatic assembly equipment is used forlocating the ball within the housing. With the bent configuration at thefree ends of the bearing fingers, the ball is readily insertable intothe housing. The smooth contact surface of the bearing fingers with theball permits this and also precludes damage to the ball which mightotherwise occur if the ball were to rub against the cut edge of ,thefingers. Quite often the ball used in self-aligning bearing assembliesis of soft material such as sintered bronze. Such a ball would be easilyscratched or marred by rubbing against the tips of the steel bearingfingers. After the ball is inserted into the housing, relative rotationbetween the ball and housing will be effected to permit the bearingfingers to fall within the depressed grooves.

The bearing assembly of the present invention is a self-contained unitand can readily be attached to support structure for rotatablysupporting a motor shaft or similar member within the bore of the ball.The asseming is defined by the cylindrical wall surface 20. As with theconstruction of FIGS. 14, the housing is cupshaped and an opening 21 iscut at the bottom end. This opening is cut in such a pattern to leavematerial for fonning the bearing fingers 22. After formation, thesebearing fingers are bent upwardly so that their free ends will engage aball when inserted into the housing. As shown in FIG. 12, four bearingfingers 22 are provided. These fingers are spaced from each other; andbetween each one, the bottom of the support section of the housingextends radially inwardly to provide additional-bearing fingers 23.These fingers support the ball on the side diametrically opposite thepoint where the bearing fingers 22 make contact.

In the construction shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the bearing fingers do nothave the outwardly directed tips as shown in FIGS. 1-4. Also, thebearing surfaces defined by the ends of the fingers 23 do not have areverse bend as in the construction of FIG. 3. It is understood,however, that these features can be included in the embodiment of theinvention shown in FIGS. 11 and 12.

It is also to be understood that the construction of the ball can bechanged from that shown in FIGS. 1-4. In FIG. 13, for example, the ball24 is shown as being provided with trunnions 25. This construction isparticularly suitable for motors requiring extended axial support of themotor shaft. Such support can be provided even though the bores of thehousing in which the motor shaft is to be mounted may have an axiallength no greater than that of the housing of the bearing assembly.

In another embodiment shown in FIG. 14, the bearing ball is constructedwith an outer spherical surface 26 on one diametric side and acylindrical surface 27 on the opposite side. The ball also has trunnions28 and 29. The cylindrical surface 27 is grooved at 30 for receiving thebearing fingers 13 of the bearing housing. The surfaces of these groovesare spherical and together with the spherical surface 26, they functionas bearing sections for the housing. That is, these surfaces cooperatewith the support fingers and bearing fingers of the housing in the sameway as in the constructions of FIGS. l-l3. The grooves 30 by receivingthe bearing fingers l3, lock the ball against rotation within thehousing. Their size, however, is slightly larger than that of thebearing fingers to permit the ball to align itself properly within thehousing. The cylindrical construe tion of the bearing ball on one sidefacilitates handling of the ball in the automatic equipment used forassembling the balls into housings.

I claim:

l. A hearing housing for holding a bearing ball, having an outer surfacewith bearing sections defining segments of a sphere, on diametricallyopposite sides of said ball, said housing comprising:

a. a mounting section having:

1. first fixed bearing means for engaging said ball along said sectionson one diametric side and holding it against lateral movement in saidhousing, and

2. means for mounting said and b. second bearing means comprising aplurality of bearing fingers integral with said mounting section at oneof their ends and having their other ends free from said mountingsection and spaced from said first bearing means for engaging said ballalong said sections on the diametrically opposite side thereof.

2. A bearing housing for holding a bearing ball having an outerspherical shape comprising:

a. a mounting section having:

1. first fixed annular bearing means for engaging said ball along afirst small circle and holding it against lateral movement in saidhousing, and

2. means for mounting said housing on a support;

and

b. second bearing means comprising a plurality of bearing fingersintegral with said mounting section at one of their ends and havingtheirother ends free from said mounting section and spaced from saidfirst bearing means for engaging said ball along a second small circlediametrically opposite said first small circle.

3. [n a bearing assembly having a housing and a bearing ball held withinthe housing, said ball having an outer surface with bearing sectionsdefining segments of a sphere on diametrically opposite sides of saidball, the improvement wherein said housing comprises:

a. a generally cup-shaped mounting section with an open end and a bottomend, said mounting section having:

l. first bearing means at one end thereof engaging said ball along saidsections on one diametric side, and

2. means for mounting said housing on a support;

and

b. second bearing means comprising a plurality of bearing fingersintegral with said mounting section at said one end thereof, saidbearing fingers extending toward the other end of said mounting sectionand engaging said ball along said sections on the diametrically oppositeside thereof.

4. A bearing assembly according to claim 3 wherein:

a. said first bearing means engages said ball along a first smallcircle; and

housing on a support;

b. said second bearing means engages said ball along a second smallcircle.

5. A bearing assembly according to claim 4 wherein:

a. said mounting section is cylindrical in its periphcry.

6. A bearing assembly according to claim 5 wherein:

a. said mounting section has a continuous outer periphery;

b. said mounting section includes a circular opening in the bottom endthereof;

c. said first bearing means includes bearing fingers extending radiallyinwardly of said opening for engaging said ball along said first smallcircle; and

d. the bearing fingers of said second bearing means are located radiallyinwardly of the outer periphery of the mounting section.

7. A bearing assembly according to claim 6 further including:

a. oil impregnated wicking means disposed between the outer periphery ofsaid mounting section and said bearing fingers of said second bearingmeans.

8. A bearing assembly according to claim 4 wherein:

a. said mounting section includes a plurality of supporting fingersextending from the bottom end thereof toward the open end, saidsupporting fingers having free ends spaced from each other at the openend and defining the means for mounting the housing on a support.

9. A bearing assembly according to claim 8 wherein:

a. the supporting fingers define a generally circular periphery for saidhousing.

10. A bearing assembly according to claim 9 wherein: a. the free ends ofsaid mounting fingers extend laterally outwardly relative to saidcircular periphery. 11. A bearing assembly according to claim 9 wherein:a. the bearing fingers and mounting fingers are disposed alternatelyabout the periphery of said hous- 12. A bearing assembly according toclaim 11 wherein: I

a. there are three bearing fingers and three mounting fingers.

13. A bearing assembly according to claim 11 wherein:

a. said housing is constructed of stamped spring steel;

b. the free ends of said bearing fingers where they engage the ballalong the second small circle define a circle smaller than said secondsmall circle when no ball is in place within said housing.

14. A bearing assembly according to claim 13 wherein: I

a. the housing is shaped with the portions defining the sides of the cupshape spaced from said ball and with the first and second bearing meansdefining the sole contact with the ball.

15. A bearing assembly according to claim 14 further comprising:

radially outwardly'thereof with the innermost surfaces engaging saidball.

18. A bearing assembly according to claim 17 wherein:

a. said ball includes at least one groove in its outer surface; and b.said housing includes means received within said groove for holding theball against rotation relative to said housing. 19. A bearing assemblyaccording to claim 13 wherein:

a. said bearing ball has:

1. an outer spherical surface on one diametric side,

and 2. a cylindrical surface on the diametrically opposite side; and b.the bearing sections on the side of the ball having the cylindricalsurface are defined by grooves in said surface. 20. A bearing assemblyaccording to claim 13 wherein:

a. said bearing ball has an outer spherical surface;

and b. said ball includes at least one groove aligned with one of saidbearing fingers for receiving said bearing finger and holding the ballagainst appreciable rotation relative to said housing, said groovesbeing slightly larger in size than said bearing fingers. 21. A bearingassembly according to claim 20 wherein:

a. said ball includes a bore extending therethrough;

and

b. said ball includes separate grooves aligned with and receiving eachof said bearing fingers, said grooves being duplicated adjacent eachaxial end of said bore.

22. A bearing assembly according to claim 13 wherein:

a. the three mounting fingers extend in a diverging pattern toward theopen end of said mounting section.

23. A bearing assembly according to claim 13 wherein:

a. said mounting section includes a circular opening at the bottom endthereof; and

b. said first bearing means is comprised of the mounting sectionstructure immediately surrounding and defining said circular opening.

24. A bearing assembly according to claim 23 wherein:

a. said first bearing means extends radially inwardly of said openingand away from the open end of the mounting section.

25. A bearing assembly according to claim 24 wherein:

a. said mounting section, at the bottom end thereof, extends radiallyinwardly of said opening, first in a direction toward the open end ofthe mounting section and then in a direction away from the open end.

1. A bearing housing for holding a bearing ball, having an outer surfacewith bearing sections defining segments of a sphere, on diametricallyopposite sides of said ball, said housing comprising: a. a mountingsection having:
 1. first fixed bearing means for engaging said ballalong said sections on one diametric side and holding it against lateralmovement in said housing, and
 2. means for mounting said housing on asupport; and b. second bearing means comprising a plurality of bearingfingers integral with said mounting section at one of their ends andhaving their other ends free from said mounting section and spaced fromsaid first bearing means for engaging said ball along said sections onthe diametrically opposite side thereof.
 2. a cylindrical surface on thediametrically opposite side; and b. the bearing sections on the side ofthe ball having the cylindrical surface are defined by grooves in saidsurface.
 2. means for mounting said housing on a support; and b. secondbearing means comprising a plurality of bearing fingers integral withsaid mounting section at one of their ends and having their other endsfree from said mounting section and spaced from said first bearing meansfor engaging said ball along said sections on the diametrically oppositeside thereof.
 2. A bearing housing for holding a bearing ball having anouter spherical shape comprising: a. a mounting section having:
 2. meansfor mounting said housing on a support; and b. second bearing meanscomprising a plurality of bearing fingers integral with said mountingsection at one of their ends and having their other ends free from saidmounting section and spaced from said first bearing means for engagingsaid ball along a second small circle diametrically opposite said firstsmall circle.
 2. means for mounting said housing on a support; and b.second bearing means compriSing a plurality of bearing fingers integralwith said mounting section at said one end thereof, said bearing fingersextending toward the other end of said mounting section and engagingsaid ball along said sections on the diametrically opposite sidethereof.
 3. In a bearing assembly having a housing and a bearing ballheld within the housing, said ball having an outer surface with bearingsections defining segments of a sphere on diametrically opposite sidesof said ball, the improvement wherein said housing comprises: a. agenerally cup-shaped mounting section with an open end and a bottom end,said mounting section having:
 4. A bearing assembly according to claim 3wherein: a. said first bearing means engages said ball along a firstsmall circle; and b. said second bearing means engages said ball along asecond small circle.
 5. A bearing assembly according to claim 4 wherein:a. said mounting section is cylindrical in its periphery.
 6. A bearingassembly according to claim 5 wherein: a. said mounting section has acontinuous outer periphery; b. said mounting section includes a circularopening in the bottom end thereof; c. said first bearing means includesbearing fingers extending radially inwardly of said opening for engagingsaid ball along said first small circle; and d. the bearing fingers ofsaid second bearing means are located radially inwardly of the outerperiphery of the mounting section.
 7. A bearing assembly according toclaim 6 further including: a. oil impregnated wicking means disposedbetween the outer periphery of said mounting section and said bearingfingers of said second bearing means.
 8. A bearing assembly according toclaim 4 wherein: a. said mounting section includes a plurality ofsupporting fingers extending from the bottom end thereof toward the openend, said supporting fingers having free ends spaced from each other atthe open end and defining the means for mounting the housing on asupport.
 9. A bearing assembly according to claim 8 wherein: a. thesupporting fingers define a generally circular periphery for saidhousing.
 10. A bearing assembly according to claim 9 wherein: a. thefree ends of said mounting fingers extend laterally outwardly relativeto said circular periphery.
 11. A bearing assembly according to claim 9wherein: a. the bearing fingers and mounting fingers are disposedalternately about the periphery of said housing.
 12. A bearing assemblyaccording to claim 11 wherein: a. there are three bearing fingers andthree mounting fingers.
 13. A bearing assembly according to claim 11wherein: a. said housing is constructed of stamped spring steel; b. thefree ends of said bearing fingers where they engage the ball along thesecond small circle define a circle smaller than said second smallcircle when no ball is in place within said housing.
 14. A bearingassembly according to claim 13 wherein: a. the housing is shaped withthe portions defining the sides of the cup shape spaced from said balland with the first and second bearing means defining the sole contactwith the ball.
 15. A bearing assembly according to claim 14 furthercomprising: a. an oil wicking means disposed in the space between theside portions of the housing and said ball.
 16. A bearing assemblyaccording to claim 15 wherein: a. said wicking means is a polymer matriximpregnated with oil.
 17. A bearing assembly according to claim 13wherein: a. the free ends of the bearing fingers extend radiallyinwardly of the periphery of the housing and then radially outwardlythereof with the innermost surfaces engaging said ball.
 18. A bearingassembly according to claim 17 wherein: a. said ball includes at leastone groove in its outer surface; and b. said housing includes meansreceived within said groove for holding the ball against rotationrelative to said housing.
 19. A bearing assembly according to claim 13wherein: a. said bearing ball has:
 20. A bearing assembly according toclaim 13 wherein: a. saiD bearing ball has an outer spherical surface;and b. said ball includes at least one groove aligned with one of saidbearing fingers for receiving said bearing finger and holding the ballagainst appreciable rotation relative to said housing, said groovesbeing slightly larger in size than said bearing fingers.
 21. A bearingassembly according to claim 20 wherein: a. said ball includes a boreextending therethrough; and b. said ball includes separate groovesaligned with and receiving each of said bearing fingers, said groovesbeing duplicated adjacent each axial end of said bore.
 22. A bearingassembly according to claim 13 wherein: a. the three mounting fingersextend in a diverging pattern toward the open end of said mountingsection.
 23. A bearing assembly according to claim 13 wherein: a. saidmounting section includes a circular opening at the bottom end thereof;and b. said first bearing means is comprised of the mounting sectionstructure immediately surrounding and defining said circular opening.24. A bearing assembly according to claim 23 wherein: a. said firstbearing means extends radially inwardly of said opening and away fromthe open end of the mounting section.
 25. A bearing assembly accordingto claim 24 wherein: a. said mounting section, at the bottom endthereof, extends radially inwardly of said opening, first in a directiontoward the open end of the mounting section and then in a direction awayfrom the open end.